Nature of Science Scientific Method Standards of Measurement

 The Nature of Science  The word science comes from the Latin for Knowledge  Science is the process we use to learn about the world we live in  The three categories of Science  Physical Science – energy & matter  Life Science - life & life processes  Earth Science – earth & space

 Physical Science  Areas of study – Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science  Professions – Materials scientist, Chemist, physicist  Life Science  Areas of study – Biology, Medicine, Botany  Professions – Biology teacher, Doctor, Dentist  Earth & Space Science  Areas of study – Geology, Astronomy, Oceanography  Professions – Geologist, Astronaut, Meteorologist

 We learn about the natural world in order to make predictions about what will happen This includes everything from when is the best time to plant crops and the best clay combinations for the best pots to which materials can be combined to make the best computer chips and what is the best treatment regimen to cure cancer. We find out about the natural world by investigating. Observation – Experimenting – Modeling. The Scientific Method

 Our senses are our only link to the natural world  We Observe the world around us using;  Sight, Hearing, Touch, Taste and Smell  We Experiment by bringing different factors together and observe how they interact.  We Model to help us understand Things that are too large, too small, to dangerous or too complex to easily understand.

 In Experimenting we use variables  Independent Variable – the one we control  Dependent Variable – the one controlled by the independent v  Constants – the factors in an experiment tht don’t change  Controls – the factor that we compare our results to.  Objectivity – keep an open mind when viewing results  Theories – an explanation based on results  Scientific Laws – Statement about what happens  Science has Limits – can’t answer questions about opinion or the superntural  Technology – ue of pure science to improve the lives of people

Why everyone can understand each other

 Having a standard that everyone agrees with.  Keeps customers and suppliers from being unhappy with each other.  No one likes to receive something different that what they expected. They can get quite irate.  Ensures that experiments are repeatable  People in Figi can replicate experiments done here

 Measurement Systems  English  Based on age old measurement systems  Metric  International System of Units  Agreed on by Scientists around the world  Easier to use and calculate with because the differences in units are based on multiples of 10

 You must choose the units you use to fit the task  To measure the distance between two towns  Kilometers  To measure the length of a room  Meters

 Volume  The amount of space occupied by an object  Length x width x height  Cubic centimeters  Liter  Based on a cube 10 cm on a side  ml = 1 cubic centimeter

 Temperature  Fahrenheit  Water Freezes at 32° F  Water Boils at 212° F  Celsius  Water Freezes at 0° C  Water Boils at 100° C  Kelvin  Water Freezes at 273 K  Water Boils at 373 K

 One Picture is worth 1000 words.  Graphs  Pie chart

 Line Graphs

 Bar Graphs